Originally printed in The New York Times. Adjusted for local audiences.
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The Obama administration, even as it tried to restrain other domestic spending in its 2011 budget request, has called for expanding the Pell Grants, the main federal college aid program for low-income families.

If adopted by Congress, the president’s formula would raise the top grant to $5,710 in 2011, compared with $5,550 this year, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, and make the program available to an additional one million students.

Yes, if we eliminate all federal help for college educations and all loans for college education; then the cost of tutions would surely drop.....Just like if we eliminate medicare, medicaid, and all other health insurance; the cost of healthcare would surely decrease.........but we have to ask ourselfs, do you believe we would be healthier and better educated as a nation......get real folks we have to have and need the federal and state government

I personally feel like the Pell Grant is something that many college students rely on. I'm currently a college Senior and without Hope and the Pell Grant, I would not be there. While colleges have recently raised their prices, I feel the reason is budget cuts and the economy in general. Everyone is struggling now, and I feel that raising the Pell Grant will just give struggling students a better chance at succeeding. I know many people who would not be in college if it were not for Hope and Pell...

The problem is the people who abuse the Pell Grant and work the system. Just like any government-funded system, there's no one to monitor those who abuse Pell funds.

A student's Pell check is based on their income and the number of credit hours they enroll in. In additional to Pell, a student also receives HOPE. HOPE pays for tuition and provides funds for textbooks.

Abusers will max out their credit hours, claim no income, and once they have their check in hand, they drop or fail the classes that HOPE (pays for tuition and books) and Pell (taxpayer's money in their pocket) paid for. They do not have to show how they spent the Pell check; thus, there's no auditing of the system--and it is widely abused!

It all goes back to the welfare system in general. People find ways to take 'free' money and use it to live off of with NO desire to obtain an education or to better themselves.

What really irks me is state-mandated furlough days. The federal government will allot a student $5,710 a year for attending college while the state takes several days of pay from teachers who more than likely use a portion of their income to pay for their student loans. This makes NO sense!

In my opinion, Obama is just padding the welfare system. Students should take out a student loan to cover their tuition/books. When you have pay for something, usually you want to get your money's worth!

If a student gets a PELL grant and doesn't use it for school they won't get another till they enroll and pay for it themselves. They might trick the system once. Don't leave so many out just because some may abuse it. A college education will do more to get people off welfare than most anything else. HOPE scholarships are based on grades, not income. States pay teachers, not the federal gov, although the stimulus package did help keep teachers from getting fired by padding states' budgets. I think it's great to take the middle man out of college loans.

I dont even know where to begin. You are mistaken if you think the Pell Grant is a form of welfare. Our nation could benefit from additional education, expecially in the area of critical thinking so people can distinguish propaganda from actual facts as they watch Fox News. Enough of the elitist entitlement crap.

I WONT say that there is no abuse in the system. However, schools eventually catch on to students who repeatedly disenroll after their checks are cashed. There are only so many times you can drop a classes. You must also maintain your GPA. In order to CONTINUE to receive education assistance, you must attend college and you must do well. This is not Food Stamps or Medicaid!

People astound me...attempting to discredit all forms of "assistance" by focusing on only the negative aspects without the slightest consideration to the positive things they bring. Some people may think that since the system is not perfect, it should not exist at all. I strongly disagree. I do not live in a world where things must be perfect. I try to be more forgiving than that. But you can feel free to be a pessimist…it sounds like a sad existence. Just know that the Pell Grant does far more good than bad. Actually, many things fall into this category (religion for example).

Sadly, not everyone can afford college. I have benefited from the "pell and hope grant welfare system" and received my degree. My spouse and I have already paid back more into the system than I have taken. Now consider all the people who have also benefited from educational assistance and have done well for themselves.. then do the math. The good outweighs the bad.

Your mindset is exactly why America is behind countries like South Korea in education. But unfortunately, you are not the only person who thinks this way. Many people are only out for themselves. But if the boat is sinking, we all go down.

A student can spend pell funds however they want. The check is mailed to the student. No receipts on where the monies were spent are required. It is tax-free, free money!

I agree that a college education is beneficial to society. However, tax-paying citizens whose monies are handed over to students with no desire to complete their education should be aware of where THEIR hard-earned money is going. The system needs to be monitored.

Abusers always find a loophole and test the system to find out how to get more tax-free, free money. If you spend/spent your Pell check on educational expenses, you should sleep well tonight.

"I dont even know where to begin. You are mistaken if you think the Pell Grant is a form of welfare. Our nation could benefit from additional education, expecially in the area of critical thinking so people can distinguish propaganda from actual facts as they watch Fox News. Enough of the elitist entitlement crap."

If that's the case, then why aren't ALL of our nation's students receiving the Pell grant? It is only awarded to "low income families". I'm all for someone furthering their education and obtaining gainful employment. However, I am refering to those who ABUSE the system and waste our taxes!